Computer housing

ABSTRACT

A computer housing suitable for use as an enclosure for an automated teller machine is described. The housing is constructed of durable plastic. The housing includes a head, body and base which are composed of interlocking parts.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

[0001] The present invention relates generally to a computer enclosure especially suited for a networked computer used for making financial transactions.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0002] In their efforts to look for better ways to manage and support the increasing demand for products and services at financial institutions, the banking industry has turned to the implementation of automated systems that enable faster transaction processing while providing customers with a broader and more accessible variety of services on a “self-service” basis. The flexibility of extended branch hours and multiple transaction processing available at most automated teller machines (“ATM's”) have dramatically altered the way in which customers interact with banks, and have become an additional and almost indispensable convenience to everyday living. Recent improvements to ATM-related machines have allowed a customer to pay a bill using a debit or credit card. The bill is scanned and automatically recognized. The customer can then make payment by providing a debit or credit card.

[0003] These ATM's include a customer interface that displays various menu options to the customer as well as an input device, typically either a touch screen or physical buttons, for receiving the customer's selections. The customer interface and related components are typically housed in a stand-alone enclosure or a wall-mount enclosure. Since the ATM is used to store cash and other deposits, both enclosures are constructed to avoid a break in. This type of secure design poses a variety of challenges including security, compactness, aestetics, cost and others.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0004] According to one aspect of the invention, an enclosure suitable for housing an automated teller machine includes an oval face, an oval back side, a front, a back, a right side and a left side. Each are constructed of a single piece of plastic material. The oval face defines a flange extending rearward from portions of its top and side. The oval back side has a profile that matches the oval face. It defines a flange that extends forward from a portion of its top and side and mates with the flange extending from the oval face. The oval back side also defines a pair of substantially parallel grooves along its bottom side. The front includes a front wall and a pair of side walls tapering inward from top to bottom. It also includes a curved base extending from the bottom side of the front and side walls. A flange extends rearward from each of the side walls, and a peg extends outward from the left and right sides of the curved base. The back includes a back wall and a pair of side walls configured so that its profile matches that of the front. The back also includes a curved base extending from each of the side walls. A flange extends inward from the top of each of the side walls of the back to engage the parallel grooves of the oval back. A flange also extends forward from each of the side walls of the back to engage the side walls of the front. A peg extends outward from the left and right sides of the curved base. Finally, a left and a right side are each formed as a convex curved surface. Each define holes configured to recevie one peg from the front and one peg from the back.

[0005] According to another aspect of the invention a computer housing includes a head front and rear cover, and a body front, side and rear covers. Each is constructed of plastic. The head front cover mates with the rear cover along a substantially vertical plane to form a head cover. The body front cover mates with the body rear cover along a substantially vertical plane. The joint between the body front and rear cover forms a right, left and top side. This top side mates with the head. The right and left side each mate with one side cover, which completes the housing. A computer system configured to make financial transactions by be housed within the housing.

DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0006]FIG. 1 shows a perspective view of one preferred enclosure, including a face 110 a back side 112, front portions 114 and 115, rear portions 116 and 117, and sides 113 and 120.

[0007]FIG. 2A is a front view of face 112.

[0008]FIG. 213 is a back view of face 112.

[0009]FIG. 3A is a front view of back side 112.

[0010]FIG. 3B is a cross sectional view of back side 112 taken along B-B of FIG. 3A.

[0011]FIG. 4A is a front view of front portions 114 and 115.

[0012]FIG. 4B is a cross sectional view of front portions 114 and 115 taken along A-A of FIG. 4A.

[0013]FIG. 4C is a top view of front portions 114 and 115.

[0014]FIG. 5A is a perspective view of rear portions 116 and 117.

[0015]FIG. 5B is a front view of rear portions 116 and 117.

[0016]FIG. 5C is a cross sectional view of rear portions 116 and 117 taken along A-A.

[0017]FIG. 6A is a perspective view of side 118 showing its outside.

[0018]FIG. 6B is a perspective view of side 118 showing a portion of its inside.

[0019]FIG. 7 is a perspective view of fan cover 710.

[0020]FIG. 8 is a perspective view of an interior frame.

[0021]FIG. 9 is a perspective view of a base.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0022] In a preferred embodiment of the invention, an enclosure for an automated teller machine is constructed of plastic. The enclosure includes a plurality of interconnecting parts that are described below with reference to the figures.

[0023] Turning to FIG. 1, one preferred teller machine enclosure 100 is described. Broadly, the enclosure 100 can be divided into three basic sections. The top section being the head, the middle part being the body, and the bottom part being the base. The head includes a face 110 and a back side 112. The face 110 is shaped like an oval and attaches and aligns with the back side 112 that is also shaped like an oval. In other words, the profile of the face 110 and back side 112 of the teller machine 100 match. Each include an interlock along their outer border. When placed together the interlock connects the face 110 to the back side 112.

[0024] The face 110 includes a rectangular screen 111 positioned substantially in the center. The screen 111 is located so that the distance from the right side of the screen 111 to the right border of the front side 110 is equal to the distance from the left side of the screen 111 to the left border of the face 110. The screen 111 is also equally distanced measuring from the top side of the screen 111 to the top border of the face 110 and from the bottom side of the screen 111 to the bottom border of the face 110 of the teller machine 100. The back side 112 of the teller machine 100 mates with the face 110 of the teller machine to cover the internal components. Preferably, a single-board computer is housed with in the head along with related hardware components used to interface with a network, with the screen, speakers, a camera as well as document and card exchangers.

[0025] The body of the teller machine is also divided into two symmetrical sides, which include the body front 114 and the body back 116. The body front 114 contains two slots to be used for the exchange of different documents and/or cards between a user and the machine 100. The slots are different sizes and the use depends on the desired function, which is discussed further below. The body back 116 aligns with the body front 114. Again, the front profile of the body front 114 and the body back 116 match. Together these provide a housing for the document exchangers enclosed therein.

[0026] Together, the body front 114 and the body back 116 form a substantially rectangular shaped column having a gradual taper.

[0027] The base of the machine 100 supports the entire machine and thus has a flat bottom. The base is made up of four basic components. It contains the base front 115, the base back 117, the base right border 118, and the base left border 120. The base front 115 and the base back 117 align in the center and are symmetrical from right to left. The base front 115 defines a convex surface extending from the front side of the teller machine 100. The base front 115 includes a flat side along its bottom that serves as part of the base for the teller machine. The base back 117 also defines a convex surface extending from the back side of the teller machine 100. The base back 117 includes a flat side along its bottom that servers as another part of the base for the teller machine.

[0028] Preferably, the body front 114 and base front 115 are formed from a single piece of plastic. The body front 114 merges with the base front 115 so that the base front 115 provides a support for the body front 114. In turn, the body front 114 supports face 110. Likewise, the body back 116 and the base back 117 are formed from a single piece of plastic. The body back 116 merges with the base back 117 so that base back 117 provides support for the body back 116.

[0029] As with the face 110 and the back side 112, the body front 114 and body back 116 engage along an interlocking surface. Preferably, the body front 114 defines a flange, and the body rear 116 defines a groove configured to receive the flange. When assembled, these components interlock to form solid enclosure. Similarly, the base front 115 and base back 117 engage along an interlocking surface. Preferably, the base front 115 defines a flange, arid the body rear 116 defines a groove configured to receive the flange. When assembled, these components interlock to form a solid enclosure.

[0030] The base right border 118 covers the side union between the base back 117 and the base front 115 on the right side of the machine 100. The base right border 118 defines a convex surface having a flat bottom, which serves as another part of the base. The left base border 120 is shaped as a mirror image of the base right border 118. The left base border 120 covers the side union between the base front 115 and the base back 117 on the left side of the machine 100.

[0031] Turning to FIG. 2A, one preferred face 110 is described in further detail as shown from a front view. The face 110 defines a substantially oval profile around its perimeter and defines a substantially rectangular screen aperture 206 substantially in its center.

[0032] Located on the right and left side of the screen aperture 206 there is speaker enclosure 210. The speaker enclosure 210 located on the right side of the screen aperture 206 is the mirror image of the speaker enclosure 210 located on the left side of the screen aperture 206.

[0033] The speaker enclosures 210 are located in such a manner that they are centered vertically on the right and left side so that the same distance is observed from the top of the speaker enclosure 210 to the top of the head of the machine 100 and from the bottom of the speaker enclosure 210 to the bottom of the head of the machine. The speaker enclosures 210 each define a plurality of slots that pass through the face 110. These slots permit transmission of acoustic signals from internal speakers to the outside of the enclosure.

[0034] Above screen aperture 206, the face 110 defines a camera aperture 204. A camera may be mounted within the enclosure to face a user. The camera receives visual images through the camera aperture 204 that are converted to electronic signals and passed on for processing or recording. The camera aperture 204 is substantially centered from right to left.

[0035] Below screen aperture 206, slightly to the right, face 110 defines a microphone passage 208 that includes a number of slots passing through the face 110.

[0036] Further below, face 110 defines a tab 203 that extends therefrom. The tab 203 interlocks with a bay along the top of body front 114. This interconnection helps to form a secure fit between these two parts at assembly.

[0037] Turning to FIG. 2B, face 110 is further described as shown from a rear view. Face 110 defines a flange 224 that extends around its perimeter excepting a portion along the bottom which mates with body front 114. Face 110 also Includes camera mount 214, speaker mounts 218, microphone mount 220 and screen mount 222.

[0038] Turning to FIG. 3A the back side 112 is further described in further detail as shown from a front view. Again, the back side 112 mates with face 100 to form the head of the teller machine. Along the top center of back side 112, a small vent 314 permits the flow of warm air out of the teller machine. In operation, the internal components generate a substantial amount of heat. This is passed out of the machine. The small vent 314 is positioned near where the face 110 and back side 112 come together. The back side defines an inclined plane formed as a back panel 312. Centered from left to right, an angular protrusion 310 extends therefrom. The angular protrusion 310 extends out to provide additional space for internal components. It also provides additional support for the head. The angular protrusion 310 also defines a plurality of mounts 311 that are used to connect with an internal frame. Along the bottom of angular protrusion 310, this structure defines a pair of substantially parallel grooves 313. These grooves are used to mate with horizontal lips along the top of the body, described below.

[0039] Turning to FIG. 3B, a cross sectional view of the back side 112 taken along B-B (shown in FIG. 3A) is described. As shown, angular protrusion includes a back side and two side walls 320. The side walls 320 meet back panel 312 at an angle slightly greater than ninety degrees.

[0040] Along the outer edge of the back side 112, a flange 316 extends. The flange 316 is used to mate with face 110. The flange interlocks with face 110 to provide a rigid structure.

[0041] Turning to FIG. 4A, the body front 114 and base front 115 are further described. These include bay 418. It is a square-shaped slot located at the top center of the body of the machine 100 and it is made to fit the tab 203 located on the head. This configuration provides an interlock between these two components.

[0042] Base front 114 includes a front panel 402 and side panels 400. The front panel 402 tapers gradually from a wider end at its top to a narrower end at its bottom. Front panel 402 defines a card slot 422 that is used to receive and return a magnetic card from a user. The card slot 422 is positioned just below bay 418 and is placed at a substantially horizontal orientation. Further below card slot 422, a paper slot 424 is positioned in the same horizontal orientation. The paper slot 424 is used to pass a printed receipt of any transactions to a user. Both the card slot 422 and the paper slot 424 are positioned substantially in the center, from left to right, of the front panel 402.

[0043] Front panel 402 joints convex surface 404 along a horizontal joint. Convex surface 404 extends wider than front panel 402 to form a portion of the base of the teller machine. Top panels 406 join convex surface 404 along the portion that extends beyond front panel 402. Top panels 406 also join side walls 400 along their bottom.

[0044] Convex surface 404 defines two additional slots. The uppermost, namely the cash slot 411 is used to dispense cash to a user. Approximately centered along the cash slot 411, an upper detent 412 and a lower detent 414 provide space for a user to grip cash that is dispensed. The lower, namely the paper recognition slot 415 is used to receive bills or cash. A lip 416 extends below the recognition slot 415. This lip 416 provides a ledge that acts as a guide for users when feeding paper into the machine. These papers are then passed through an automatic recognition program and separated based upon their type.

[0045] On the bottom right and left corners of the base there is located one peg 410 on each side. These pegs 410 are used to connect with left and right base borders 120 and 118.

[0046] Turning to FIG. 4B a cross sectional view taken along A-A of FIG. 4A is described. As shown, the card slot 422 tapers inward so that a user's card is guided toward a reader positioned proximate the card slot 422. Similarly, the receipt slot 424 includes a taper outward. That is, the slot is narrower on the outside than on the inside. This helps to guide a paper receipt as it is fed out of the machine.

[0047] The cash slot 411 is positioned along a top portion of convex surface 404. Slightly lower, paper recognition slot 415 is bounded along its lower edge by a ledge 426. Ledge 426 is formed by the lip 416 that extends outwardly from the convex surface 404.

[0048] In FIG. 4C, a top view of the enclosure 100 is observed. The bay that accommodates the head of the enclosure can be better appreciated in this figure.

[0049] Turning to FIG. 5A, the body rear 116 and base rear 117 are further described. These structures include, on opposite side walls a pair of side body panels 510. These extend substantially vertically and joint a back body panel 516 along the back of the enclosure. The back body panel also extends substantially vertically. The side body panels 510 are connected along their top by a top body panel 512. The top body panel is rectangular and forms a horizontal shelf. The back body panel 516 joins the top body panel 512 by a curved panel 514. Together these panels form a rear body portion of the enclosure. This portion also mates with the head. To do so, a lip 520 is formed along the top edges of the side body panels 510. The lip 520 is oriented horizontally. A lip 522 is formed along the front edge of top body panel 512. It is also oriented horizontally. Together the lips 520 and the lip 522 form a bay that is used to interlock with the head. Specifically, lips 520 fit within the grooves 313. Lip 522 fits within a groove formed along the bottom back side of angular protrusion 310.

[0050] Side body panels 510 each connect with a flange 524, which protrudes therefrom. The flange 524 is used to form a connection with the front of the body. The front and back half of the body come together and join at these side flanges 524 to form the complete body of the machine 100.

[0051] Top border panels 518 extend from the side of the side body panels 510 at an angle of slightly less than ninety degrees. Thus, the top body panels extend substantially horizontally. A front flange 526 extends forward from the top border panels 518. These are used to engage the front of the base. Top border panels 518 join along a back edge with curved border panels 519. These also extend from the side of side body panels 510 at an angle of approximately ninety degrees or less. Back Pegs 528 extend from the bottom of curved border panels 510. On each side a back peg and a front peg mate with a cavity in side borders 120 and 118.

[0052] Turning to FIG. 5B, the body rear and base rear 117 are shown from a front view. Here the inside of the back half of the base and body of the enclosure 100 can be viewed. Centered along the bottom, back body panel 516 defines a fan cage 532, which includes a lower slot 534 and an upper slot 536. The fan cage 532 provides rigid structure to protect a fan that operates within the enclosure. The fan draws air in and pushes it over the components within. This air is then exhausted through vent 314 in the head. The lower slot 534 and upper slot 536 are used to engage a finer filter that prevents users or observers from placing their finger or other object near the fan. The back rounded panels 519 extend from either side of the fan cage 532.

[0053] Just above the fan cage 532, four mounts 530 are positioned at the corners of a rectangle. These mounts 530 are used to connect with an internal frame shown below in FIGS. 8A and 8B.

[0054] Turning to FIG. 5C, a cross sectional view taken along A-A of FIG. 5B is shown.

[0055] In reference to FIGS. 6A and 6B, the side border covers are describe in further detail. These are symmetric from front to back so that the right and left border cover are the same. Each includes a front cap 602 and a rear cap 604 each shaped substantially as a quarter of a sphere. A curved surface 606 joins the front cap 602 along its rear edge and joins the rear cap 604 along its front edge. A flange 608 extends inward from the front cap 602, the curved panel 606 and the rear cap 604. This is used to interconnect with the front base 115 and rear base 117. The bottom edge of the front cap 602, the curved panel 606 and the rear cap 604 defines a plane that serves as part of the base.

[0056] Turning to FIG. 6B, rear cap 604 defines a rear peg hole 610 and front cap 602 defines a front peg hole 612. These are used to receive the pegs defined by front base 115 and rear base 117.

[0057] In FIG. 7, fan cover 710 is described. The fan cover 710 defines a number of horizontal slots 712 located in the center. The fan cover openings 712 are of different lengths starting with a short length at the top and bottom and working into longer lengths and achieving the longest length in the center. They are arranged in this way to form a circle that matches the draw pattern of the interior fan.

[0058] A pair of lower flanges 714 extend from the bottom of fan cover 710 and fit within the slot 534. A clasp 716 extends from the top of fan cover 710 and engages slot 536. Together these hold the fan cover 710 in place.

[0059]FIGS. 8A and 8B show the interior frame. It includes holes 810 for connecting it with the above described enclosure. Interior components can then be mounted to this frame. It also includes holes 812 for mounting a touch screen.

[0060]FIG. 9 show a base 900 constructed of a metal sheet. It defines a pair of slots for passing bills and cash to lower receptacles. It also includes a pair of side flanges 914. These each define a pair of holes 916 on opposite ends thereof. The above described plastic enclosure is constructed. The side flanges 914 extend upward on the inside of side covers 118 and 120. The side covers 118 and 120 pass a pair of screws that engage holes 916. This construction provides a rigid enclosure.

[0061] Turning to FIG. 10, the enclosure 1010 is shown mounted on a base 1020. The base 1020 is used to receive and store coupons and cash deposited into the teller machine. These are saved in separate compartments that may be accessed through door 1022.

[0062] Although the invention has been described with reference to a specific embodiment, those skilled in the art will appreciate that many modifications and variations may be made without departing from its teachings. All such modifications and variations are intended to be encompassed within the scope of the following claims. 

We claim:
 1. An enclosure suitable for housing an automated teller machine comprising: an oval face constructed of a single piece of a plastic material defining a square aperture substantially centered within the oval face and defining a flange extending rearward from at least the top and side portions of the oval face; an oval back side constructed of a single piece of a plastic material having a profile that matches the oval face and defining a flange extending forward from at least the top and side portions of the oval back side and configured to mate with the flange extending from the oval face, and defining a pair of substantially parallel grooves along a bottom side; a front constructed of a single piece of a plastic material having a body with a front wall and a pair of side walls tapering inward from top to bottom, and a curved base extending from the bottom side of the front and side walls, wherein a flange extends rearward from each of the side walls and a peg extends outward from a left and a right side of the curved base; a back constructed of a single piece of plastic material having a body with a back wall and a pair of side walls tapering inward from top to bottom so that a profile of the back matches the front, and a curved base extending from each of the side walls, wherein a flange extends inward from the top of each of the side walls to engage the parallel grooves of the oval back, and wherein a flange extends forward from each of the side walls to engage the flange that extends rearward from the side walls of the front, and wherein a peg extends outward from a left and a right side of the curved base; a right side constructed of a single piece of plastic material having a curved side panel formed to meet the curved base that extends from the front and to meet the curved base that extends from the back, and defining a front hole configured to receive the peg that extends from the right side of the front and a rear hole configured to receive the peg that extends from the right side of the back; and a left side constructed of a single piece of plastic material having a curved side panel formed to meet the curved base that extends from the front and to meet the curved base that extends from the back, and defining a front hole configured to receive the peg that extends from the left side of the front and a rear hole configured to receive the peg that extends from the left side of the back.
 2. The enclosure of claim 1, wherein the oval face further comprises a side wall extending around at least the top and side portions of the oval face, and a pair of speaker grills positioned on opposite sides of the square aperture.
 3. The enclosure of claim 1, wherein the oval back side further comprises a vent defined along a top portion the oval back and an angular protrusion extending rearward from the oval back wherein a bottom edge of the angular protrusion defines the pair of substantially parallel grooves of the oval back.
 4. The enclosure of claim 1, wherein the front further comprises a card slot defined in the front wall and having a gradual taper inward so that the slot is configured to guide a user's card into an internal card reader, and a receipt slot also defined in the front wall and having a gradual taper outward so that the slot is configured to guide a user's receipt from an internal printer to out of the enclosure.
 5. The enclosure of claim 1, wherein the back further comprising a fan cage positioned near the bottom of the back wall.
 6. The enclosure of claim 1, wherein the right side forms a front section shaped substantially as a portion of a sphere, back also shaped substantially as a portion of a sphere and a curved middle section connecting a rear edge of the front section to a front edge of the rear section.
 7. The enclosure of claim 6, wherein the right side further defines a pair of holes used for connecting the rights side with an internal frame.
 8. The enclosure of claim 1, wherein the shape of the left side matches the shape of the right side.
 9. An enclosure constructed of interlocking plastic pieces comprising: a head having a substantially planar front defining an aperture for a screen and a pair of grills for speakers, wherein the aperture includes a center of the planar front and the grills are positioned on either side of the aperture; a body forming a substantially rectangular column having a gradual taper from its top to its bottom and positioned below the head to provide support thereto, wherein a bottom portion of the head and a top portion of the body form an interlock, and wherein the body defines a slot configured to receive a card and a slot configured to pass a receipt out of the enclosure; and a base having a right side and a left side positioned at the bottom of the body and having an interlock therewith, wherein the base defines a cash slot configured to dispense cash out of the enclosure and a coupon slot configured to receive a coupon from a user. 